Picture frame construction



Sept 10, 1957 THOMPSON 2,805,506

PICTURE FRAME CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 27, 1955 Lea. Thom awn INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 10, 1957 PICTURE FRAME CGNSTRUCTION Leo I. Thompson, Miami, Fin.

Application January 27, 1955, Serial No. 484,500 7 V 3 Claims. c1. 40-152 The present invention relates to a molding for picture frames and more particularly to a hollow molding which is reversible for providing a picture frame of a desired contour.

At the present time it is impossible to obtain a metal picture frame which is light enough to permit hanging thereof on any ordinary type wall, while at the same time, providing a picture frame which is sturdy and will withstand normal use over an extended period of time.

Also, picture frames of all types presently used inhibit air circulation between the back of the picture and the wall on which the picture frame and picture therein are supported. This encourages dampness and mildew formation on the wall as well as the frame and the picture. Also, lack of air circulation behind the picture on the Wall will, in some instances, greatly discolor the wall behind the picture.

The present invention provides a metal picture frame which is light enough to hang on any normal wall, but which is stury enough to withstand normal use over an extended period of time. The construction of the molding for the picture frame is such that air circulation between the wall and the frame of the picture is not inhibited thereby obviating the formation of mildew on the wall behind the picture and preventing dampness on the wall.

Another difliculty with picture frame molding presently in use is that it is not readily adaptable for arranging the formed or shaped side with respect to the picture in any of several different relative positions. For example, when the shaped portion of the frame slants generally inwardly toward the picture, the molding is referred to as a shadow box type of frame. An alternate form of frame which is the reverse of the shadow box is where the shaped portion is positioned so that it slopes inwardly toward 116 Wall. At the present time it is necessary to provide separately shaped molding for either the shadow box or the reverse type molding. This is expensive and requires that both diiferent forms be carried in stock.

The present invention provides a picture frame molding which may be used either as the shadow box type of picture frame molding or it may be used as the reverse type.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a pic ture frame molding of extruded metal which is shaped so that portions of such molding may be permanently and compactly connected together to form a picture frame.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a hollow picture frame molding which is constructed and arranged so as to receive and support a picture in any of several diiferent ways.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a picture frame molding which may be used either as a shadow box type of molding or it may be used as the reverse type of molding.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a metal picture frame molding which may be cut .into sections and such sections readily and easily secured together at the ends thereof without the use of nails, staples or glues, to provide a means of permanently securing the sections together to form a picture frame.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a partial elevational view illustrating a design of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1 showing the seating means for the picture and the means for clamping or securing adjacent sections together at their corners;

Fig. 3 is a plan view on the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the bracket means for securing adjacent sections of the frame members together at their corners.

In Fig. l the molding is shown generally at 3 in the form of portions 4 and 5 which are secured together at their line of juncture 6 for forming a portion of a picture frame. The other sections of the frame (not shown), namely,the side portion opposite frame portion 4 and the bottom frame portion opposite frame portion 5 may be secured together so as to form a rectangular or square frame of suitable size.

One design for the picture frame molding is illustrated in the drawings and it should be understood that such frame design, such as that indicated at 7 may be of any suitable configuration, and that shown herein is merely illustrative for the purposes of description.

The frame portions are hollow sections which include the outer wall- 8 and the inner Wall 9 which are joined together by the face wall 7 which is provided with a suitable design as above mentioned. The outer wall 8 is provided with projections 10 and 11 which cooperate to form the groove 12. Similarly, projections 13 and 14 form groove 15 on the inner wall 9. The grooves 12 and 15 are aligned and face each other to provide a receiving seat for the L-shaped bracket means 17 and 18 whereby adjacent frame portions as illustrated at 4 and 5 may be secured together.

The L-shaped member includes legs 19 and 20 which are adapted to be slidably fitted within the grooves 12 and 15 of adjacent frame portions 4 and 5. The additional L-shaped member 18 is adapted to rest on the projections 11 and 14 so as to space it relative to the L- shaped member 18 fitting in each of the grooves 12 and 15. Screw means 21 may then be engaged through both members so as to engage them together and lock the adjacent frame portions 4 and 5 in position at their line of juncture 6.

It is to be noted that the L-shaped bracket members are secured to the frame 3 only at the corners thereof to secure adjacent frame portions 4 and 5 together at such corner. The remainder of the space 22 between the parallel walls 8 and 9 is open whereby air circulation between the frame walls and between such frame and the wall upon which the frame may be mounted is freely accommodated. This aids in maintaining the picture frame dry and prevents collection of dampness or water thereon. This also inhibits the formation of mildew on such picture frame or on the Wall adjacent thereto.

Regardless of the design on face wall 7 of the frame molding, a picture may be positioned on such frame in any of several positions. As shown in Fig. 2, a seat 25 is provided on the inner wall 8 at its juncture with the inner end 26 of design wall 7. Such seat includes the surface 28 and the surface 29 upon which the picture illustrated at 30 may be positioned. Suitable backing material such as cardboard or the like, as shown at 31,

may be mounted back of the picture and retained in position by means of the clips 32. The clips 32 have their inner end 33 engaged in recess 34 of projection 13 and is bent as-shown at 35, 35 and 37- respectively to fit first in'the groove 15, about projection 14 and then over the end of inner wall 9. Extended portion 39 rests on the backing board 31 and serves to retain such board in position.

The clips are formed of spring like material and may be easily disengaged by inserting a knife blade or similar sharp instrument underneath the projecting portion 39 so as to spring the clip from its locked position within recess 34 and groove 15.

An advantage of the present invention is' the provision of seat 40 which is arranged adjacent'the outer end 42 of the outer Wall 8 whereby such molding may be used as a reverse type molding. The seat 49 includes projections 43 and 44 whichare spaced-to form the groove 45 of a suitable width for receiving a picture frame 46 and its backing 47. V

A spring clip 48 of a different design from that of clip 32 may be engaged as illustrated at .49 with the backing plate 47 and is provided. with a reverse bend 50 which fits suchclipwithin the groove 45 and two additional reverse bends 51 and 52 to fit the clip about projection 44. A recess 53 is provided adjacent outer wall 8 and in projection 44 for receiving the outer end 54 of clip 48. This construction permits the hollow metal picture frame to be used either as the shadow box type which is illustrated in solid lines in Fig. 2 or as the reverse type which shows picture 46 in dotted line form in Fig. 2. The outer edges 60 and 61 of the L-shaped brackets 17 and 18 are provided with serrations 62 which are adapted to engage projections 11 and 14 respectively to maintain such brackets in position after they have been engaged together. a

The present invention permits assembly of the frame This aids in quick assembly or disassembly since the retaining screws do not enter the frame. The alignment between adjacent frame portions is maintained by the compression grip of the mating L brackets 17 and 18.

Of course, in mounting pictures, mirrors and the like, it is necessary to hold the frame portions or sections at absolute right angles and to maintain such portions in this relationship over an extended period of time. Where nails or staples or glue is. used, as in present day frame constructions, the adjacent frame sections tend to separate after the frame has been hanging on the wall for a period of. time. However; the present invention prevents this from happening because the bracket 17 slides into the slot or groove 12 and of adjacent frame portions as illustrated at 4 and '5 and holds the frame sections at absolute right angles. The mating section grips the projections 11 and 14 to each frame portion 4 and 5 and by means of screws 21 engages the brackets 17 and 18 permanently in position.

Broadly the invention relates to a metal type picture frame which eliminates the objections found in present frame construction.

What is claimed is:

1. A metal picture frame construction comprising hollow sections secured together to form top, bottom and side frame portions, each of said sections having an outside wall and an inner wall which are parallel to, but spaced from each other, spaced projections on the inside of said outer wall forming groove means in said Wall, spaced projections on the inside of said inner wall forming groove means, each of said grooves being aligned and facing each other, an L-shaped member adapted to fit in said groove on adjacently positioned sections, a second L-shaped member positioned on said projections and fitting over said first mentioned L-shaped member in spaced relation thereto, and screw means engaging each of said shaped members to engage them together so as to position adjacent hollow sections to form the frame.

2. A metal picture 'frameconstruction comprising, hollow sections secured together to form top, bottom and side frame portions, each of said sections having an outsidewall and an inner wall which are parallel to, but spaced from each other, spaced projections on the inside of said outenwall forming groove means in said wall, spaced projections on the inside of said inner wall forming groove means, each of said grooves being aligned and facing each other, an L-shaped member adapted to fit in said groove on adjacently positioned sections, a second L -shaped member positioned on said projections and fitting over said first mentioned L shaped member in spaced relation thereto, screw means engaging each of said shaped -members to engage them together so as to. position adjacent 'hollow sections to form the frame, seat means on both said inner'and outer walls for receiving and supporting a picture'in the, frameflin' either position. 7 1

'3. A metal picture frame construction comprising, hollow-sections secured'together to form top, bottom and side frame portions, each of said sections having an out side wall and an inner wall which are parallel to, but spaced from each other, spaced projections on the inside of said outer wall forming groove means in said wall, spaced projections on the inside of said inner .wall forming groove means, eachof said grooves being aligned and facingeach other, an L-shaped member adapted tofit'in said groove on adjacently positioned sections, a second Ls l1a'ped member positioned on 'said projections and fitting over 'said' first mentioned L-shaped'member in spaced relation thereto, serrations on opposed facing sur-' faces of each of said members for engaging said projection fitting therebetwe'en to position the members thereon, and screw means engaging each of said shaped members to engage them together so as to position adjacent hollow sections to form the frame.

References Cited the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS r 

